AGENDA ITEM 9B
CUP21-00018, DVP21-00001
PRE21-00009 & DIV21-00009
1 PROJECT LOCATION
2CITY OF TORRANCE CITY COUNCIL| MAY 19, 2026
BACKGROUND
3CITY OF TORRANCE CITY COUNCIL| MAY 19, 2026
• April 17, 2024: Planning Commission Public hearing was scheduled for the original project; prior to hearing, Fire Staff noted access issues regarding the project’s layout, the applicant requested a continuance to work with City staff on those issues. The Planning Commission granted an indefinite continuance by a vote of 6-0. After meetings with Fire, Planning and the applicant, the access issues were resolved, noting that only a small portion of the southeast corner of the building provides a height of 28 ft., from street grade; the remainder at or below 27 ft., will allow ladder access from the ground. • November 19, 2025: Public hearing was scheduled for the revised project. Following public testimony and deliberation, the Commission voted (3-1) to continue the item indefinitely, to review perceived safety issues.
• December 17, 2025: Public hearing was scheduled. Following public testimony and deliberation, the Commission voted (4-1) to approve the project.
APPEAL OVERVIEW
4CITY OF TORRANCE CITY COUNCIL| MAY 19, 2026
• January 2, 2026: Timely appeal was received by residential and commercial properties, adjacent to the site.
• Appeal filed by David Brent, Scott Douglas (Rolling Hills Business Centre LLC), and Vivian Lee • Appeal specified four reasons:
1. Potential safety and emergency issues;
2. HAA project allowance of additional conditions that have safety issues;
3. CEQA mitigation not provided;
4. Challenges whether project is an HAA project, as it requires discretionary approvals.
STAFF RESPONSE TO APPEAL
5CITY OF TORRANCE CITY COUNCIL| MAY 19, 2026
• Potential safety and emergency issues were reviewed by the City Team, prior to any hearings, and also reviewed the appellant’s contention.
• Staff previously provided conditions of approval regarding some of the potential safety issues, and notes that the majority of the noted concerns are not addressed during public hearings, but during the plan check process and are reviewed by using applicable Building and Safety, Grading and Fire Codes. • Appeal does not identify evidence that a Class 32 criterion is not met. • HAA projects may or may not include discretionary approvals; however, if those approvals are required at the local level, the local municipality may not review subjective development standards in determining their decision.
CEQA REVIEW
6CITY OF TORRANCE CITY COUNCIL| MAY 19, 2026
The residential development meets the five required criteria for a Class 32 Categorical Exemption:
a. The project is consistent with the C-GEN land use designation and its corresponding zone district b. The project is located within the City of Torrance limits and consists of an approximate 0.57-acre combined property of seven parcels, located on vacant land on the east side of Hawthorne Blvd., approximately 200-ft north of Rolling Hills Rd. The site is bounded by urbanized uses, including a commercial office building to the south, single family residential to the north and east and Hawthorne Blvd. to the west, with vacant land further west across the street. c. The project site is not a habitat for endangered, rare, or threatened species. d. The potential traffic, noise, air quality, and water quality associated with the project were assessed in technical studies prepared in consultation with the Torrance Community Development Department and the Torrance Public Works Department. The studies found the project would not result in significant effects related to traffic, noise, air quality, and water quality impacts.
e. The studies showed that the project would be served by existing utilities and public services.
SITE PLAN – 1ST FLOOR LEVEL
7CITY OF TORRANCE CITY COUNCIL| MAY 19, 2026
ELEVATIONS – SOUTH AND WEST
8CITY OF TORRANCE CITY COUNCIL| MAY 19, 2026
ELEVATIONS – NORTH AND EAST
9CITY OF TORRANCE CITY COUNCIL| MAY 19, 2026
RECOMMENDATION
10CITY OF TORRANCE CITY COUNCIL| MAY 19, 2026
Planning Commission and Community Development Director recommend that City Council:
• Conduct a public hearing;
• Affirm the Class 32 Infill Development Exemption;
• Deny the appeal and approve the project; and
• Adopt Resolutions.
AGENDA ITEM 9B
CUP21-00018, DVP21-00001
PRE21-00009 & DIV21-00009
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